Method Men Juniper + Sage Body Wash
At a glance
Summary
Method Men Juniper + Sage Body Wash scores 33/100 -- a body wash with deceptive 'clean / plant-based' marketing that contains the rare and uniquely concerning preservative pair Methylchloroisothiazolinone + Methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MIT, a.k.a. 'Kathon CG'), paired with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate as the primary surfactant. The base formula combines a real clean-emollient stack (polyglyceryl-3 laurate, methyl glucose caprate/caprylate/oleate, lauryl lactate, propanediol, tetrasodium GLDA, aloe, Vitamin E) with three significant demerits: (1) Sodium Lauryl Sulfate as the primary surfactant -- the most aggressive mainstream cleanser, no different from petroleum-derived SLS despite the 'plant or mineral origin' asterisk; (2) Methylchloroisothiazolinone + Methylisothiazolinone -- the 'Kathon CG' preservative pair that was the American Contact Dermatitis Society's 'Contact Allergen of the Year 2013' and is banned in EU leave-on cosmetics; (3) undisclosed Fragrance plus disclosed fragrance allergens. Phenoxyethanol is a fourth (smaller) demerit. Paraben-free, phthalate-free, silicone-free, PEG-free, cruelty-free. Owned by SC Johnson (Method acquired 2017). No third-party lab testing.
Key ingredients 14
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)Very Bad
The most aggressive mainstream surfactant; primary skin/scalp irritant. Unusual choice for a brand marketed as 'naturally derived' -- most clean brands use coco-glucoside or decyl glucoside. Despite the 'denotes plant or mineral origin' asterisk, plant-derived SLS is chemically identical to petroleum-derived SLS in irritation potential.
See more about Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) →Methylchloroisothiazolinone + Methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MIT)Very Bad
The 'Kathon CG' preservative pair. MIT was named the American Contact Dermatitis Society's 'Contact Allergen of the Year 2013' after a documented epidemic of contact dermatitis cases. EU banned MIT in leave-on cosmetics in 2017 and limits MCI/MIT in rinse-off products to 0.0015%. EWG 5-7.
See more about Methylchloroisothiazolinone + Methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MIT) →Fragrance (Parfum) + 3 disclosed allergensVery Bad
Undisclosed fragrance blend plus 3 itemized fragrance allergens explicitly disclosed on the label: Citral, Limonene, Linalool. EU mandates disclosure of these specific allergens when concentration exceeds 0.01% in rinse-off products. Fragrance can legally hide hundreds of un-itemized compounds including phthalates and endocrine disruptors.
See more about Fragrance (Parfum) + 3 disclosed allergens →PhenoxyethanolBad
Synthetic preservative; EWG 4. EU restricted in baby products.
See more about Phenoxyethanol →Cocamidopropyl BetaineNeutral
Coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant; gentle on its own. Carries N-nitrosamine contamination risk when stacked with the secondary amines in the MCI/MIT preservative system.
See more about Cocamidopropyl Betaine →Ammonium ChlorideNeutral
Viscosity-adjusting salt; inert in finished cosmetics. EWG 1-3.
See more about Ammonium Chloride →Citric AcidNeutral
Common acidulant and preservative — safe at typical use levels, neither beneficial nor harmful.
See more about Citric Acid →Polyglyceryl-3 LaurateGood
Plant-derived non-ionic emulsifier/cleanser; clean alternative to PEG-based emulsifiers. EWG 1.
See more about Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate →Methyl Glucose Caprate/Caprylate/OleateGood
Sugar-derived emollient ester complex; clean replacement for silicone conditioning agents. EWG 1.
See more about Methyl Glucose Caprate/Caprylate/Oleate →Lauryl LactateGood
Lactic-acid-derived emollient ester; clean skin conditioner that improves the body wash's after-feel without silicones. EWG 1.
See more about Lauryl Lactate →PropanediolGood
Corn-fermentation-derived humectant solvent; clean replacement for propylene glycol. EWG 1.
See more about Propanediol →Tetrasodium GLDAGood
Glutamic-acid-derived chelator; cleaner and more biodegradable than EDTA. EWG 1.
See more about Tetrasodium GLDA →Aloe Barbadensis ExtractGood
Acemannan polysaccharides; anti-inflammatory and lightly hydrating.
See more about Aloe Barbadensis Extract →Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)Good
Lipid-soluble antioxidant; stabilizes the formula and protects skin lipids from oxidative damage.
See more about Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) →Get the full breakdown in the Scout appTake Scout shopping
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